Compliance Recycling Algorithm for Scheduled Targetless Snapshots

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the snapshot recycling instructions comprise background discard instructions that recycle the exempted snapshot responsive to a determination that the exempted snapshot is no longer in use.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the snapshot recycling instructions comprise eligibility determination instructions that characterize the selected targetless snapshot as being in use responsive to determining that the selected targetless snapshot is linked to a target volume.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the snapshot recycling instructions comprise eligibility determination instructions that characterize the selected targetless snapshot as being in use responsive to determining that a persist attribute is set.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the snapshot recycling instructions comprise eligibility determination instructions that characterize the selected targetless snapshot as being in use responsive to a determination that an expiration time attribute is set and the expiration time has not yet been reached.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the snapshot recycling instructions comprise eligibility determination instructions that characterize the selected targetless snapshot as being in use responsive to a determination that an age limit attribute is set and the age has not yet been reached.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising recycling the exempted snapshot responsive to determining that the exempted snapshot is no longer in use.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising characterizing the selected targetless snapshot as being in use responsive to determining that the selected targetless snapshot is linked to a target volume.

13. The method of claim 11 comprising characterizing the selected targetless snapshot as being in use responsive to determining that a persist attribute is set.

14. The method of claim 11 comprising characterizing the selected targetless snapshot as being in use responsive to determining that an expiration time attribute is set and the expiration time has not yet been reached.

15. The method of claim 11 comprising characterizing the selected targetless snapshot as being in use responsive to a determination that an age limit attribute is set and the age has not yet been reached.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 wherein the method further comprises recycling the exempted snapshot responsive to determining that the exempted snapshot is no longer in use.